Falcons shock Hermits with one-goal win

HIGHTSTOWN — With the extremely difficult schedules that local prep school boys soccer teams play, it can be easy for them to view any win as just another good effort.

Peddie’s 2-1 overtime win over St. Augustine’s Prep yesterday was more than that.

The Hermits are traditionally one of the top teams in the state as well as a constant contender for a state title in the NJSIAA’s Non-Public ranks.

St. Augustine’s entered with a 7-2-1 record with its only other in-state loss coming at the hands of Cape Atlantic League rival Ocean City, another New Jersey powerhouse.

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So when Chase Covello led Eduardo Armenta with a pass, which Armenta curled beautifully into the far upper-90 of the net with 3:56 left in the first 10 minutes of overtime, it was a big deal — especially considering it was only the Falcons’ third win.

“We definitely see this as a big win,” Covello said. “We see it as our hard work and perseverence really showing and something working out for us in the end.”

With a 3-4-3 record that luck has not always swung in the Falcons’ favor, but the push by Armenta, who usually plays in the back, provided huge dividends for a team which was coming off a tough, 2-1 loss at East Brunswick.

McClellan’s troops did not want to start a backward spiral once the game headed to overtime, but needed sophomore goalkeeper Jake Leahy to come up with a huge save to give them an opportunity for their third win in their last four outings.

When St. Augustine’s Christian Bik stole the ball right off overtime’s opening tap, he led teammate Samuel Mitcho into the box. Leahy ranged far off his line to not only cut off the angle, but make a sprawling dive to block Mitcho’s point-blank shot.

“It’s the casual stuff we do that’s frustrating,” McClellan said. “A little bit of nonchalance and we let them back in the game.”

Such was the case after Tim Boyce converted another lead from Covello to open scoring 4:48 into the second half.

The Falcons, who had come close to scoring at least two other times in the first half, seemed to drop back following Boyce’s tally. As a result, the Hermits charged forward and knotted the score on Frank Messina’s goal less than four minutes later.

“We had to kick into gear and work harder after that,” Covello said. “We’re just focusing in on our style and our combinations...what works for us.”

What has started to work better since an 0-3-3 start is Peddie’s distribution from the midfield. After only scoring five goals in those first six games, the Falcons have outscored their last four opponents, 7-3.

McClellan’s squad gets little time to enjoy their accomplishment since it figures to be tested once again Saturday when it heads to highly-regarded Hill.

PRINCETON — First-time goalkeeper Taylor Heilman, a senior filling in for his injured classmate Chris Meinert, made 20 saves, but the Raiders could not hold down the undefeated Gray Bees. Victor Villagomez accounted for three of St. Benedict’s goals.

St. Benedict’s (13-0)22-4

Hun(4-6)00-0

Goals-SB: Villagomez 3, Martinez.

Shots-SB: 24; H: 5. Saves-SB: Edwards 5; H: Heilman 20.

Pennington 3,

Blair Academy 2 (OT)

BLAIRSTOWN — Satchel Cortet connected on a pass from Alessandro Delia in the first 10 minutes of overtime to lift the Red Raiders to victory after squandering a 2-0 lead.

Delia had scored a pair of unassisted tallies in the first half to put Pennington in front before the Bucs rallied to tie the game on second-half goals by Derek Dumani and Evan Forsell.